In the thick of The City, Salisbury House Workspace sits close to a host of tasty lunch spots, indie coffee shops, fun gaming experiences and world-class culture, if you know where to look:
City Càphê
This Vietnamese cafe on Ironmonger Lane might be small, but it punches above its weight in the flavour department. Run by the Vu family - who arrived here as refugees in the seventies - this lunch-only spot often has queues snaking out the door thanks to its lipsmacking bun hue (spicy lemongrass) noodle soups and summer rolls.
https://www.citycaphe.com/;17 Ironmonger Ln, 11.30 - 15.00 weekdays
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
Tucked on Artillery Lane, ten minutes’ walk from Workspace Salisbury House and Finsbury Circus, superchef Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurant-meets-deli has an enticing takeaway counter serving stacks of Middle Eastern-style salads, including roasted aubergine and preserved lemon yoghurt.
https://ottolenghi.co.uk/restaurants/spitalfields, 50 Artillery Ln, 9.00-22.30 Mon-Sat, 9-5 Sun
Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden
Salisbury House’s setting in the heart of the skyscraper-filled City, ramps dining opportunities up a notch - literally. Set 155m skywards, London’s highest public garden - a fig tree and fern-filled oasis with killer skyline views - is a fifteen-minute stroll away. Book a table at Darwin Brasserie to enjoy pumpkin soup, charred cauliflower, and lemon meringue tart, in horticulture-cool, above-the-crowds surrounds.
https://skygarden.london/; Sky Garden is free (advance tickets, airport-style security), 10.00 - 00.00 Mon, 6.30-00.00 Tue - Thu, 06.30-01.00 Fri, 07.00 - 01.00 Sat, 07.30 - 00.00 Sun
https://skygarden.london/restaurants/darwin-brasserie/, Level 36 Sky Garden, 20 Philpot Ln,12.00 - 22.00 Mon, 08.30 - 22.00 Wed-Sat, 08.30 - 22.30 Sat, 08.30 - 21.30 Sun
SUSHISAMBA
Whizz to The Heron Tower’s 38th floor by panoramic glass lift, and a walk through a Japanese-style sweep of red-orange torii gates leads to swanky SUSHISAMBA restaurant. Different spaces - all with phenomenal views and a Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion menu - suit different occasions. Book ahead for the dining room where exposed bulbs cascade from bamboo arches, on quiet afternoons chance walk ups at counter seats, while balmy nights call for citrussy samba sours underneath the terrace’s twinkling tree.
https://www.sushisamba.com/, Heron Tower,12.00 - 01.30 Sun-Wed, 12.00 - 02.30 Thu-Sat
The Globe
For after-work drinks a stone’s throw from Workspace's Salisbury House, make for The Globe, to admire its gorgeous rococo exterior, and enjoy real ales and award-winning pies served in Brit pub surrounds.
https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/london/theglobemoorgatelondon#/,
83 Moorgate, 11.00 - 23.00 Mon-Fri, Sat 12.00 - 21.00
The Singer Tavern
Two venues in one, the former Singer Sewing HQ now houses a smart gastropub upstairs - with apple green tiled columns, art deco ceiling moldings and an inviting wooden bar. Downstairs is dimly-lit cocktail bar 5cc, all exposed brickwork and Singer-themed artwork.
https://www.singertavern.com/, 1 City Rd, 11.00 - 00.00 Mon-Wed, 11.00 - 01.00 Thu-Sat
Rosslyn Coffee London Wall
A Salisbury House London favourite, this welcoming, standing space only spot on London Wall draws coffee lovers like bees to a honeypot. Founders James Hennebry and Mat Russell select best-of-the-best producers such as Somerset’s The Estate Dairy milk and Mork hot chocolate. Three seasonally-shifting blends are used for filter, espresso, and milk based coffees, and adventurous caffeine fans should ask about the off-menu specialty list.
https://www.rosslyncoffee.com/,118 London Wall, 06.30 - 17.00 weekdays
Forbes & Hamilton Coffee House
A blink-and-you’ll miss it wood-panelled space lined Church pews and eclectic photographs - spanning Peter Sellers to The Magic Roundabout - is one for purists. An indie nook, run by husband and wife Adalat Hussain and Bozena Maderant, does a roaring trade in Monmouth coffees served with organic Jersey milk. Don’t expect syrups or Wi-Fi, do come to kick back and chat.
http://www.forbesandhamiltoncoffeehouse.co.uk/, 47 London Wall, 07.00 - 18.00 weekdays
Clays
A city twist on countryside pursuit clay target shooting, groups of up to 20 can take over their own ‘peg’ with a huge 4K screen, to play interactive target shooting games. Comfy coral seating, frond-covered ceilings and sharing platters of sweetcorn ribs and truffle parmesan chips ramp up the fun factor.
https://clays.bar/, 55 Moorgate, 16.00 - 00.00 Mon, 12.00 - 00.00 Tue - Sat, 12.00 - 22.00 Sun
Flight Club Shoreditch
With over seventy million darts (and rising) thrown here since 2015, it’s fair to say that Flight Club have put ‘social darts’ on the map. Looping helter-skelter lighting, stained glass windows and a carousel horse create a pub-meets retro fairground feel, and up to 12 people can take to each board during 90 minute sessions where darts are tracked and scores calculated.
https://flightclubdarts.com/london/location-shoreditch,
2A Worship St, 11.30 - 00.00 Mon-Wed, 11.30 - 00.30 Thu, 11.30 - 01.00 Fri, 11.00 - 01.00 Sat, 11.30 - 22.30 Sun
The Barbican Centre
Famed for its concrete Brutalist architecture as it is as a hotbed for the arts and creativity, the Barbican packs in a concert hall, two theatres, two art galleries (exhibitions on level G are always free) and a peaceful lakeside terrace. Book a free ticket for a lunch time wander around the glasshouse conservatory, packed with towering palms and trickling water features.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/, Silk St, opening times vary
Leadenhall Market
A City of London landmark, there’s been a market here since the 14th century. Now, its restored Victorian arches, gilded red and white columns and ornate roof pack serious architectural wow. Ogle at the magical surroundings, then pick up chocolate-covered meringues at Aux Merveilleux de Fred, or nibble on artisan cheese at aptly-named Cheese.
https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/, Gracechurch St, space open 24-hours, shop/restaurant openings vary
Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm